Best time for a river cruise in Europe

The best time for a river cruise in Europe is September.

September has a pleasant climate and usually sees normal water levels, which means a minimal chance of disruption due to high or low water levels. Plus, with the majority of summer crowds gone— and the heat of July and August behind you — September brings some of the best river cruising conditions. Tickets also tends to be cheaper during this time.

October is the next best month to schedule your European river cruise, though the temperature tends to be cooler.

When to avoid scheduling your European river cruise

During April, May and June, snow melt and spring rain create flooding in most European rivers. As a result, ships have trouble passing under low-hanging bridges.

When levels start to recede around August, especially after a dry summer, cruises can be postponed or canceled altogether because low water in some of the river systems. However, if this is the best time for you to travel, consider getting cruise insurance so that you’ll be compensated for altered itineraries or canceled sailings.

By November and December, you run the risk of rivers freezing in northern and eastern Europe. They’re sometimes closed shortly after Christmas during the dead of winter. The colder temperatures may also deter you from sitting out on the cruise deck to enjoy views of the passing countryside.

Weather and prices

Consider the weather and how much you’ll pay before you take your cruise:

Best time for weather for a European river cruise: From late June to mid-October. Climate is warm and dry. Just watch out for low water levels around August.

Cheapest time for a European river cruise: Europe attracts fewer visitors during winter due to freezing temperatures. This makes river cruises cheapest during October, November and early December. You may, however, face bitter temperatures and freezing rivers.

Popular European river cruises

Already have a course in mind? These seasons are lovely for cruising the Rhine, Danube and Main:

Rhine River: Despite the risk of high water levels in March and April, a river cruise at this time of year typically features blossoming tulip gardens along the river. To play it safe, avoid the rainy months from April to June.

Danube River: River cruises on the Danube are popular in December, thanks to vibrant celebrations and cities dressed up beautifully for the holidays. Christmas market cruises along the Danube are in high demand, and for good reason.

Cruise Amsterdam to Budapest on the Main, Rhine and Danube Rivers: To see the Dutch tulip gardens, April and May are the best months to take a cruise. If you prefer Christmas markets, December is the right time for your trip. But take the cruise in September for pleasant weather and reliable water levels.

Bottom line

Finding the best time of year for your European river cruises makes for a wonderful way to visit bucket list cities throughout the continent. Explore various cruise options to help book the best experience.

Frequently asked questions

Sometimes — but each cruise line handles this situation differently. If a portion of a river is closed due to high or low water levels, some cruise lines transport you to a port rather the cancel the cruise. It can supplement the inconvenience with a discount on your next booking. If an entire cruise is canceled because of weather, most cruise lines offer reimbursement on your trip.

We’d suggest calling the cruise line before booking to learn about its weather cancellation policy. Or you could check its terms and conditions.

The Danube and the Douro are generally best for Christmas market river cruises, as they tend to stay warmer later into the season.

You’ll want to pack a long coat, scarves, gloves, hats and waterproof boots. Your cruise lines should provide you with a packing list that’s specific to your itinerary, but in general, expect cold days and possible rain.

Alex Keshen is the global travel publisher at Finder and has been living, breathing and, of course, writing about all things travel for more than 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada and has appeared in Travel Weekly and the Huffington Post. A master of maximising her annual leave and finding the best bargains around, she can’t remember the last time her backpack weighed more than 10kg and is happy to share her tips and tricks to help you travel better.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

We endeavor to ensure that the information on this site is current and accurate
but you should confirm any information with the product or service provider and
read the information they can provide. If you are unsure you should get independent
advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.

finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that
aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we
are independent, we may receive compensation from our partners for featured placement
of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on
certain links posted on our site.

Thank you for your feedback.

Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.

Advertiser Disclosure

finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.